Wire connecter tool



3 1935. J. R. HALLADAY 2,002,981

WIRE CONNECTER TOOL Filed Sept-l2, 1952 v 2 SheetsSh'eet 1 '7- INVENTOR.

amp/7 RHHLLADAY 4g ATTORNEYS J. R. HALLADAY WIRE CONNECTER TOOL May 28, 1935,

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 12, 1932 L INVENTOR. JOSH R.HHLLHDHY 7 BY I my I Arrom s Patented May 28, 1935 UNITED STATES WIRE CONNECTER TOOL Joseph R; Halladay, Alliance, Ohio, assignor to James R. Kearney Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri l Application September 12, 1932, serial No. 632,775

g 13 Claims.

or live lines, with safety to the operator or lineman- 1 A further object of the invention is attained inan improved remotely-actuated wrench, for the application and removal of bolt 'and'nut connections to electrical conductors generally.

A still furtherobject of the invention consists in the provision of an improved wrench or tool, embodying, in a compact structure, a pair of wrench members, together with-means for clampingly actuating the work to fix its position relative to the wrench members.

A still further object of the invention is attained in an improved tool forthe purposes noted, including insulated means for the remote relative rotation of paired wrench members, together with a clamp for a wire or conductor to be positioned for connection by manipulation of the wrench member.

Yet another object of the invention is attained in a tool for the remote assembly of nuts and bolts to work to. be connected thereby, such tool including means for remotely effecting a relative rotation between the bolt and nut, :to effect threading thereof; means for eiiecting a relative axial movement of the bolt and nut to bring them into threading relation, together with a clamp for the parts to be secured together, by the threaded members. V v

The foregoing and many other objects will more fully appear from the following description of a preferred example of theinventionconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: N

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation through a clamping head or frame of the tool; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the 7 device as viewed along line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 50 is a longitudinal section through a bolt-holding member, or socket, Fig. 3 being taken along line 3+3 of Fig; 1; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a wire clamp, employed for positioning the tool and one or more conductors relative to each other for ap- 5 plication of a connecter,and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side' elevation of the head or frame, as viewed from line 55 of Fig. 4. l j r Referring generally to the drawings, it is noted that'the device of my invention, in its presently preferred embodiment, frame or head, by which is carried paired see. lectively spaced and aligned socket members, oneof which serves for the reception of a'bolt, and the other for a nut to .be threaded 'onto the bolt. The device also includes means whereby the socket members may be relatively rotated; in the present example an insulated handle extends dependingly from the frame for.rotating the nut-engaging socket, a second insulate'dham dle'being provided which serves the combined purpose of manipulating the bolt-receiving socket to and from the nut socket, and serves, sep- .arately,-tl1e purpose of actuating the wire engaging clamp. Many advantageous features and details of construction will appear from a description ofthe device by characters of reference appearing in the drawings, there being indicatecLz generally, at E, a head or frame structure preferably formed of a metal casting, and

provided with spaced aligned bores .8; at the upperor outer end of the frame and H), at the inner-or lower 'end thereof. The bore 8 'constitutes a slideor guide for receiving a double ended socket -memberxl2 provided at its ends with bolt or nut receiving sockets M :and I6 of dissimilar size, so that, by reversal, the member i2 may be broughtto engage bolts of different sizes. The bore 8 is provided with a longitudinal-opening l8 through which projects at a right angle to the socket member i2, an arm 20 having, a right angular shank or rod portion 22 adapted for sliding movement in a bore or 'passage 24 formed longitudinally .of the head or frame. The socket member I2, of .which a plurality may be provided to care for different sizes 40 w of nuts and bolts, is provided with a transverse or diametral opening or passage 26 serving to receive the arm 28. Since the arm 20 precludes axial rotation of the socket member l2 within includes a' clamping extension 36 to the pin 28, precludes endwise movement of the. pin in the bracket 32. A polygonal or squared extension of the pin '28, overlies the collar 30 and serves internally to engage, and rotatively to actuate a nut-receiving.

socket member 44. As ameans of positioning the socket member 4 endwise with respect to the frame, while permitting its rotation, the. illustrated example employs a spring pressed arm 46 (Fig. 2) carried by a pivot 48 on the bracket 32, and provided with a notched end 58 engaging a peripheral groove or recess 52 in the socket mem ber 44.- This arrangement constitutes a' quick detachable connection permitting the use of any one of several socket members. 44 for different nut sizes; release and replacement thereof being effected by movement of the free end of lever 46'against the spring to release the notched end 58 from the groove 52.

As best appears from Fig. 1, illustrating the tool. as utilized for. threading up a connecter of split-bolt and nut type, the split bolt A and the nut B are engaged,respectively, by the socket members I2 and 44. For the purpose of causing the bolt to be retained by the socket I2, with the boltininverted position, there is provided in the outer surface of the socket a longitudinal groove. 54, in which are seated leaf spring members 56, secured as by screws to the body of the member, and provided with inwardly and radially extending spring fingers 58, each ,of which serves to engage laterally the head portion of a bolt inserted mom of the sockets, so that the bolt is thus releasably and frictionally supported in the position shown in Fig. 1.-

Obviously, it is necessary, in order to bring the bolt A and nut B into thread-starting position, to efiect'an axial movement thereof one toward the other. This is accomplished in the present example by movement of the rod orshank 22, endwise of the frame, and through the passage 24; the rod 22 being extended inwardly beyond the frame proper and into a metal ferrule or socket 60, this socket being in 'turn provided with, and pinned toan insulated handle62. The handle, socket and rod 22 are secured together against endwise or axial movement, as by a pin 64'extended transversely into a peripheral groove 66 near the inner end of the rod. It will appear that through vertical movement of the handle 62, the rod 22 may be moved endwise through the frame in. a position to bring the bolt A into thread-starting relation with the nut B. I

A desirable provision for clampinglyengaging one of the paired conductors to be connected by the use of the device, is best seen in Figs; Zand 4.as including paired wire-clamping jaws Ill, between which. is clampingly engaged by knurled surfaces, a tap conductor such asC. The jaws Ill are pivoted, as by pins I2, to an extension piece I4 clamped to the frame 6 as by screws I5, the extension piece 14 preferably substantially enclosing the jaws except for their'free or clamping ends. Actuation of the jaws is effected as by a vertically movable plunger I8, guidingly positioned for rectilinear movement within the extension I4. The

plunger I8 is provided with recesses 86 adapted to receive camming fingers 82, the outer end face of the plunger engaging similar camming surfaces 84 formed internally of the free ends of the jaws. The inner end of the plunger I8 projects free of the extension I4 and is pivotally connected to a rocker 36 carried by a fixed pivot 88, and provided with a forked end 90 embracing a threaded extension 92 of the frame 6, particularly the passaged portion 24 thereof. A nut 94 externally engages the threaded extension 92 and is provided with diametrally opposed notches or kerfs 96 adapted to receive projections 98 on the ferrule or collar 66 of the handle 62.

a It will appear that, by movement of the parts 52, and 22, axially, into a position to bring the projections 98 into the notches 96, rotation of the handle 62 will serve'to rotate the nut 94, bearing outwardly. or upwardly on the forked end 96 of lever 85, and through coaction of parts 82 and reces'ses 98 of the clamping jaws and plunger,wi1l serve to actuate the jaws 'IElinto clamping position. The opposite actuation of the jaws, when the nut 94 is backed off, is effected by a spring pressed plunger I03 disposed in a socket therefor in the bracket 32, andbearing against the forked end of the lever 86, so as to keep such end against the nut 94, as it is unthreaded along the shank 92. The resulting upward or outward movement of plunger I8 through the coaction of recesses-88 and camming fingers 82, serves to open the jaws I9 for purposes of release of the clamp.

It will have appeared from the foregoing description of the tool, and the type of connecter "preferably employed therewith, that a device of this order will have a frequent application in the assembly of a split-bolt type connecter in attaching a tap conductor to a through run conductor.

of the tap conductor being extended sufficiently ter bolt A, to lie entirely within the guide passage 8. The outer end of the frame 6 is then brought downwardly or toward the through run conductor D,-which is guided toward a wire seat I02 in the head by convergent wire-guiding fins I64, these being disposed in spaced pairs, with one pair on each side of the wire seat I62. Thus, as the head or frame is hooked over .the through run conductor, the, tool'and wire will be directed relative to each other to bring the wire D to engage the seat I62. With the parts thus positioned, handle 62 is moved axially, in an inward or downward direction, so that the split bolt A is brought to overlie the through run wire. The wire D, seated in the bolt A, is now brought downwardly, relative to the frame, by further downward movement of handle 62 to aposition where threading of the bolt and nut may be initiated. This operation is effected When so utilized, the split bolt A is positioned byfrotation' of insulating handle 42,;result-ing in rotation of socket 44 containing the nut, and is continued until the nut and bolt are firmly threaded up, and the tap wire C securely fastened tc'the through run gwire D. The bolt A, being frictionally retained by spring end58 up to this point, and now being securely held to the conductor D, the socket 82 may be released fromthe bolt by an upward or outwardaxial movement ofhandle 62 which serves, as will appear, to release the'entire connector from the sockets and frame ofthe tool. The tool, however at this' time remains secured to The same upward movement whioh draws the socket i2 away from the connecterbolt, serves'to bring the lugs Q8 into notches 98 so that appropriate rotation of handle 62 is then utilized to back off the nut 54, and thus to release the tap conduca tor from the jaws l8, following which the tool is entirely free ofthe wires and connecteri The handles and 62 may obviously be of any desired length and are preferably formed of an insulating material such aswood, treated suitablyto prevent absorption of moisture, although any other suitable material may be employed. The frame or head 5 is preferably formed, together with the bracket 32 and other extensions, of a. casting, to insure its rigidity and the alignment of the sockets for receiving the nut and bolt of the connecter. A wide selection of materials and a-wide variation in design is,'of course, possible within the scope of the invention, since numerous changes may be made without departing from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure, these being more fuliy'defined by the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

' 1. In a device for applying wire connecters of bolt and nut typeja frame having a lateral opening, aligned wrench members dispose'dat'opposite sides of said opening and adapted, respectively, for engaging a bolt and nut of the connecter to be applied, means for reciprocating one of said wrench members toward and from said' wire opening, means for rotating one of the wrench members to effect threaded connection of the connecter-bolt and -nut, a wire-receiving seat formed on said frame adjacent said opening, and wire guiding members, directed from said opening toward said seat.

2. In a device for applying wire connecters of bolt and nut type, a clamping head having a transverse wire-receiving seat, a wrench member reciprocable toward and from said wire seat, a wrench member rotatable in a plane transverse to that of a wire in said seat, a wire clamp carried by the frame, and positioned adjacent said rotatable wrench member, and means for remotely actuating said wrench members and clamp.

3. In a device for applying wire connecters of bolt and nut type, a frame, a pair of wrench members associated with the frame, a wire seat extended transversely of the frame, wire directing surfaces sloped toward said seat, a guideway formed longitudinally of the frame for receiving one of said Wrench members, a second guideway in said frame, a slide in said last named guideway andhaving connection With said last named wrench member, a second wrench member, a rotatable mounting therefor arranged coaxially with said first named guideway, a wire clamp adjacent said rotatable mounting, and insulated handled extensions adapted for the rotation of said last named mounting, and for the movement of said firstnamed wrench memberin thejj guidewaystherefor, 5 a 4. a device -,f or applyin slot, and a rod extending fromsaid arm, and

longitudinally in guided relation through said frame, insulatinghandled' connection to the loweriendf of said'ro'd, at.a point below and be yond said frame, a second socket member, a drive sh'aftftherefor journalled in said frame and hav+ ing its axis aligned with said'first socket and the passage therefor, an insulated handled exten sion for rotating said last named socket member and projecting below and beyond the frame, latching m'e ans for detachably connecting.v the i a wire conne cter' of split bolt and nut type, to energized conductors, aframe having an upperlongitudinal guide :pasi last namedsocket to the shaft therefor, a tap wire'clamp assembly mounted laterally'of the frame and so located as tobring a tap wire held thereby into parallelism with a wire engaging the-wire seat on said frame, a plunger disposed between, and in operative relation to the jaws of said clamp, a rocker pivoted tosaid frame and adapted for actuating said plunger, and means adapted upon'rotation of the first: said handled extension to actuate said rocker to effect a clamp ing movement of said clamping jaws 5. In a toolfor-applyi'ng a wire 'connecter'of.

split bolt type, a frame structure including a tubular portion terminating at one endin a substantially V-shaped recess defining a transverse wire seat, a socket member disposed for sliding movement in the tubular portion, toward and from the wire seat, an elongate handle connected to said socket member, a second socket member coaxial with the first, rotatably mounted on the frame, and a second elongate handleroperatively connected to said second socket member.

6. In a tool for applying a wire connector of split bolt type, an elongate handle, a socket member carried by, and held against movement rela-' rotatably mounted on the head member, means I for rotating the second socket member, said head member having converging surfaces at one end of said bore which define a wire seat of a trend transversely of the axis of said socket members.

7. In a tool for applying a wire connecter, an

elongate handle, a head member mounted for" longitudinal sliding movement on the handle, said head member having a tubular portion parallelto, and laterally offset from the axis of the handle, means forming a transverse wire seat at one end of the tubular portion, a wrench member disposed for longitudinal movement in said tubular portion, operatively connected to said handle, a rotatable socket on the head member, coaxial with said wrench member, and means for rotating said socket.

8. In a tool for applying a wireconnecter'ineluding cooperating threaded elements, a tool head embodying laterally spaced, relatively par allel tubular portions, an elongate handle extending longitudinally through one of said tubular portions, a socket member for engaging one of the threaded connecter elements, disposed for sliding movement in another of said tubular portions, operatively connected to said handle, a second, socket member on the tool head for operatively engaging'the other of s'aid threaded connecter elements, said last recited tubular portion having means at one end thereofforming a wire seat, adapted to positiona wiretransversely between the socket members.

9. In a, device for applying a wire connecter of split bolt and nut type, a frame having a guide passage therethrough terminating at one end in a wire seat of a trend transversely of the ing means for the 'nutreceiving socket.

i 10. In a device for applying a wire clamp of bolt and nut type, a frame, a wrench member mounted for rotation on the frame, a tubular sleeve integral with the frame, a second wrench member disposed in'said sleeve for reciprocating movement towardjand from said first; wrench member, means for preventing rotational movement of said second wrench member relative to the frame, means on' said sleeve forming'a transverse wire seat between said wrench members and a pair-of elongate handles, each thereof be? lar, intersecting relation to the axis of the alined wrench members.

12. Ina device for applying a wire connecter of bolt and nut type, an elongate handle, a frame mounted forlongitudinal sliding movement on said handle, means on the frame forming a .guideway of trend parallel to the axis of said handlameans on the frame forming a wire seat of a trend transversely to the trend of said guideway, a wrench member operatively connected to said handle and movable along said guideway, a second wrench member rotatably mounted on the frame, and operating means for said second wrench member.

13. In-a device for applying a wire connecter of bolt andnut type, an elongate handle, a frame mounted for movement along the handle, said frame embodying a tubular portion terminating atone end in a transverse wire seat, paired converging wire guiding elements at opposite sides of said wire seat, adapted to direct the frame in seating relation with a wire, a wrench member operatively connected to said handle and mounted for reciprocating movement in said tubular portion, a second wrench member rotatably mounted on said frame and means for remotely actuating said second wrench member.

, JOSEPH R. HALLADAY. 

